Looking for reference
 

I have a client who would like a nude painting of a robust woman lounging on a chaise lounge. He describes it as similiar to what you would see in an old western bordello.

I know exactly what he means, but have been trying to find a painting like this on the web to just peek at to give me some ideas, but I do not know a name of an artist or style. Does anyone know what it is he & I are thinking of?

Another question: I have a list of models, some willing to pose nude. Those ones are always in good shape and fairly thin. How would I advertise or approach someone larger to model? I cannot think of a way to do this subtly. Even when I advertise for models I never specify 'nude' until I meet them in person.

I think this will be the hardest part of the painting; finding the right model. He wants large, but not top-heavy - I guess more classic proportions, waist goes in, hips go out, etc,.

In your description for the model, I might use the word "Rubenesque". I know that Ingres did a number of reclining nudes, you might start there.

I think of the famous Boucher painting of the odalisque.

http://www.orientalist-art.org.uk/boucher.html

Jeff & Michael - Perfect! Thank you.

Looking for reference
 

Hi Kim,

Looks like you're covered with the information Michael, and Jeff have shared with you. What helpful people we have on this forum.

About finding a model, I would go to a life drawing studio and inquire there about models who would be interested and are the body type you need for the painting. If there isn't a life
drawing studio, how about a school - university near by, their art dept may be able to assist.

Kim, wanted to add my ideas, though you have gotten what you were asking about from the fellas.

Have a great time with this painting,
Magdalena

Well, gee, I suppose you should relocate. All us midwesterners are hip-ample, whether we like to be or not.

I've posted ads for "traditional" models and come up with nice figures - men, women, everything. I prefer the happily filled out people, just as a matter of taste; being of Polish/Czech extraction, I just find them purty. And I never seem to find them in short supply. But again, I find lots of models at the local watering hole too, so maybe my sample is skewed.

Good luck! Sounds like loads of fun.

Best
Lisa

Magdalena,

Thank you - great suggestion except there are no life drawing classes unless I drive 2 hours. And the only college is a farming/rodeo college. The one art class shows Bob Ross videos - and that's it! Apparently the last professor there who tried to get a life drawing class going got fired.

Lisa,

Can I go to that watering hole with you sometime?

There is no shortage of "Rubenesque" women around, but getting someone to pose without it becoming public knowledge and therefore being thrown out of town is the tricky part...I can see some parents being bothered since I taught their kids art during the summer. Silly, but there you have it.

Before I had my own studio/gallery I had a show at the local bank. When I carried in the paintings the Bank President ran up to me and very sweetly asked me not to hang the portrait of the shirtless little boy. (No, not the "scary" one.) He said it wasn't conservative enough. Although, I've had nothing but positive response to the pregnant woman with her belly hanging out. I do wish I had videotaped some of the faces of people who looked at it for the first time - I'd post them on my website!

The funny thing is the models I have signed up - the conservative folks would choke. One is a minister's wife and another the female DARE officer. You just never know, do you??